It's fitting that Biggio got thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double on this defining hit. The announcers who mostly suck up to him will say that's because he's always been such a hustle player, a guy willing to take an extra base. But really, it's because he's a great player with a 2700-hit Hall of Fame career trying to stretch it into a 3000-hit one. The Astros got caught being a substandard offense in part because of it.

Comments....

Completely agree. And what's with the necessity of getting No. 3,000 at home? That irked me. I understand it is enjoybale for the fans and all, blah, blah, blah, but it stinks of a me-first approach. Who cares where a record is set? And frankly, 3,000 hits isn't all it's cracked up to be. Longevity has almost as much do with it as anything. Biggio had 200 hits in a season once. Take me back to the old-school days when Hank Aaron broke the HR mark and fans spontaneously rushed the field in complete joy (and probably a little drunkeness) over the made-for-TV moments of today where the wife comes out of the stands for a kiss. At least give her some tongue for Pete's sake.

Posted by Jason Thornbury at 6/29/2007 12:33:00 PM

20 years, 3000 hits = 150 hits a year. Big deal, but then again, I also think Pete Rose was overrated.

Oh, and I'll pass on seeing Biggio getting any tongue.Posted by vtadave at 6/29/2007 1:51:00 PM

Hey, give the guy some credit. He is the only player MLB history with at least 600 doubles, 3000 hits, 250 homers, and 400 steals. Thats pretty damn tough to do folks. Yes his average has declined the last few years, and he is on his last leg, but I think the guy is a sure-ballot Hall of Famer.

Oh - and he's been beaned 283 times and needs 5 more times to break the 100+ year old record.Posted by Raremagic at 6/29/2007 2:19:00 PM

Agree that Biggio playing this year is bad-Chris Burke has to be upset. But Biggio is a HOFer, I was surprised to go back and see his stats from his prime, he was an awesome combo of power, speed, and hit for average at a position that characteristically doesn't have all that. However, leaning into a pitch or not moving when it's coming at you shouldn't count towards stats though, any moron can do that....Posted by kevinccp at 6/29/2007 2:37:00 PM

Asserting Biggio's HOF'er credentials don't diminish from the original argument - the Astros' handling of him and his milestone have hurt the team. A .289 OBP from anywhere in the lineup, let alone from the leadoff spot, where he's been often this year (but not all the time, I know), is simply unacceptable. And keep in mind, it's not as if he has superb range on defense any longer.

There's no disagreement here that he's a HOF'er and that the bulk of his career has been underrated, but he hasn't been good the last year-and-a-half. Now that he's gotten his milestone, at home, it's time to move on and let Burke, or Loretta, or hell, Brooks Conrad play.
Posted by Erickson at 6/29/2007 9:50:00 PM

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